THE ARMY's Medical Corps is to undergo an independent root and branch review after recent recruitment campaigns at home and abroad failed to fill vacancies for doctors and other professionals.
The Irish Timeshas learned that fewer than half of doctor and dentist positions in the Medical Corps are filled.
While some foreign national doctors have been recruited recently, despite remuneration increases the Defence Forces has not even succeeded in attracting sufficient numbers to replace those who have left. Since 2000, 15 doctors have left and only 10 have been recruited.
There are now 22 doctors in the corps when the full complement is 47.
There are four dentists, including one periodontist, when there should be nine. There are four pharmacists with a vacancy existing for a fifth.
Of the 22 doctors employed six are foreign nationals. They were recruited abroad when recruitment drives in Ireland failed to attract candidates. Overseas deployments of doctors are putting added strain on the already chronic shortage of personnel.
There are currently three doctors serving in Chad, one in Kosovo and one is on standby until the end of the month with the EU battlegroup.
Attracting doctors and other sought after medical professionals to the Defence Forces has proven difficult because the financial rewards on offer in public and private practice are much greater than in the military.
A recruitment drive is under way in Poland with Army recruiters expected to travel there shortly to interview young doctors who have applied for positions online.
However, only a small number are expected to join. In the past, eastern European doctors have agreed to short term contracts and have then left the Army to take up more lucrative public and private positions in Ireland.
The only grade where the Defence Forces has succeeded in maintaining full, or almost full, recruitment levels is in the nursing service, which currently has 24 members.
Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea has expressed his disappointment at the results of recent recruitment drives.
Difficulties have persisted for so long and have proven so hard to overcome that Mr O'Dea has now engaged the services of independent consultants PA Consulting to review the Defence Forces' medical requirements and suggest a programme of reform.
The review will determine optimum staffing levels and other resources as well as outlining costings and timetables for reforms. The review is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Mr O'Dea has previously indicated the State may consider sponsoring students in medical schools on condition that they would subsequently serve a period of time in the Defence Forces.
The Representative Association for Commissioned Officers (Raco) has suggested opportunities for specialist training be offered as an incentive for doctors willing to join the Corps for a period.
It has pointed out that the Medical Corps is "in a state of virtual collapse".
The Irish Times understands the proposals to offer educational opportunities as an incentive and to sponsor medical students will form part of the consultants review.
The Medical Corps provides a health service for Army, Navy and Air Corps personnel at home and on overseas missions. It also plays a vital role in determining if a soldier is fit for duties and determines if they should be discharged from the forces on medical grounds.